Daily Briefing: Key takeaways from SC’s verdict on same-sex marriage; Express in Israel; and more

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled against legalising same-sex marriage India, leaving it to the Parliament to change the law for such a union.

The bench did, however, recognise equal rights for queer people and their protection. In his ruling, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued a string of directions to “obviate discrimination” towards same-sex couples. These ranged from creating safe houses for members of the queer community, to sensitising the police. Here’s what he said.

So, where do things stand? Well, same-sex marriage will have to wait. But by recognising non-heterosexual relationships and articulating that they are deserving of equal rights and state protection, the top court has moved the needle on the journey of queer rights.

Big takeaway: For the first time, the verdict puts the ideas of civil unions, domestic partnerships and cohabitation agreements in public consciousness.

In our opinion section today, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan writes on how the Supreme Court has lost a golden opportunity: “To have a spouse, to be a parent, to entrust and to align are some of the most basic needs of a human being. It is unfortunate that the syntax of another age has made it difficult for the interests of the LGBTQ+ community to be recognised.”

Express in Israel

Just hours before a hospital in Gaza was bombed, leaving at least 500 people dead, The Indian Express’ Shubhajit Roy visited another medical centre in Ashkelon, a town near the Israel-Gaza border. While the streets outside are empty, the 600-bed hospital, which was also targeted in rocket attacks, is buzzing, overwhelmed by the flow of patients since the attacks. Read Shubhajit’s report.

From the Front Page

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set two ambitious targets for India’s space agency ISRO: setting up an Indian space station by 2035 and taking the first Indian to the Moon by 2040. The directions came at a high-level meeting chaired by Modi to assess the progress of Gaganyaan Mission, India’s human space flight programme under which the first test vehicle is slated to fly on October 21.

Must Read

In acquitting Surinder Koli and Moninder Singh Pandher – accused in the Nithari murders case – the Allahabad High Court pointed to a brazen violation of basic norms of collecting evidence. But the most crucial of them all was “failure” to probe the “possible” angle of organ trade. Here’s what’s behind the duo’s acquittal.

The Chhattisgarh contest will pit the Congress government’s welfare schemes against the BJP’s corruption allegations against Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and its Hindutva plank. On paper, the BJP has a tough climb.

Amid the Israel-Hamas war, United States President Joe Biden has travelled to several countries in the Middle East, and is heading to Israel today. But there has been no outreach towards Iran that has been raising the issues of the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. What is Iran’s role in the crisis? An expert explains.

And Finally…

Hijras who clap-and-sing-and-dance, limp-wristed fashion designers, the exaggerated sway of the waist: for far too long, Hindi films have stuck to this trope in their portrayal of same-sex relationships. That’s changing.

Delhi Confidential: The Chief Justice of India being in the minority in a crucial Constitution bench verdict has been a rare occurrence in the Supreme Court. The idea is that the CJI, who picks the bench, would persuade his colleagues to join him in the majority. However, both CJI DY Chandrachud and his predecessor U U Lalit have found themselves in the minority despite setting up the benches.

🎧 In today’s episode of the ‘3 Things’ podcast, we discuss why BJP’s party workers in West Bengal are protesting against the state leadership. We also talk about the Indian Army’s preparation for harsh winters in eastern Ladakh and India’s vision for space exploration.

Until tomorrow,

Rahel Philipose and Sonal Gupta

Business As Usual by EP Unny